"Deng (365 Tao: Daily Meditations) says that we need stories to help us “make sense of who we are and how we got here.” In this delightful little book, Deng shares 144 ancient tales that are at times folkloric, others more comedic or tragic or paradoxical, and some just plain ribald. Tao, the author explains, is just someone on a journey as they seek to align themselves with universal truths. And as that journey does not end, there is no end of engaging the wisdom of Tao. Furthermore, despite our uniqueness, we face many of the same choices as others living millennia ago. The advice contained here is simply presented: carry only what you need for the journey, literally and metaphorically. Sayings such as, 'Everyone knows the usefulness of being useful. No one knows the usefulness of being useless,” encourage moments of reflection on surprisingly relevant truths. VERDICT Quiet wisdom of the best kind.' —Library Journal, Sandra Collins, Byzantine Catholic Seminary Lib., Pittsburgh

"In ancient China, storytellers were the CNN, Twitter, and Politico.com of their day. They traveled through the land, spreading their stories far and wide. The stories with the most human appeal stuck. Generations passed on important lessons through these tales. And thus the TAO was born. Deng Ming-Dao continues this sacred tradition with more than 140 carefully-selected, finely-crafted, ancient stories that inform and instruct by delighting readers." --Anna Jedrziewski, Retailing Insight

Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy that emphasizes living in harmony with the universe. It is a tradition that has become widely popular in Europe and North America over the past fifty years—largely through its core text, the Tao Te Ching.

The Wisdom of the Tao is filled with over 140 ancient stories express great truth by fusing anecdotes with philosophy. The stories are frequently humorous, ribald, irreverent, or sarcastic—but they always speak to great and universal truths.

Here are stories that lead people to:

Flow with life

Live from the heart

Develop an openness to possibilities

Live in balance

Drop expectations

Embrace acceptance

The wisdom here fills a universal need. We need stories. They help us make sense of who we are and how we got here. They keep us sane as we try to absorb our experiences, our aging, and our emotions. Stories help us visualize the future by taking the messages of yesterday and helping us get tomorrow right.

Deng Ming-Dao (Deng is his family name; Ming-Dao is his given name) is an artist, philosopher, teacher, martial artist, and the author of 8 books that have been translated into 15 languages. He is also an award-winning graphic designer and fine artist whose work can be found in several collections, including those of the Brooklyn Museum.See all titles by this author